Jenny's Grove - progress reports on the trees
planted in her memory
Donate to the Ovarian
Cancer Research Foundation direct online
Jenny
Jenny Gallagher passed away in my arms on 19th August 2004 after a long battle with ovarian cancer. Her funeral was held on 25 August, followed by cremation. In accordance with her wishes, on October 17th her ashes will be taken to Binna Burra, in Lamington National Park, and spread at Yangahla Rock, just off the Ship's Stern Circuit, less than 3 kms from the Binna Burra car park. The map reference of this rock is E153°11'57.5", S28°12'20.7". This overlooks Egg Rock, Numinbah Valley, Turtle Rock and Ship's Stern; we believe on a clear day she will also be within view of the Pacific, as she requested.
I would like to express my gratitude, and that of our sons Richard and Chris, for the wonderful turnout at Jenny's funeral. She would have been thrilled to see so many of her friends and colleagues there to send her off.
The many trees, shrubs and flowers will be planted in the coming months, after I have prepared the various sites I have in mind for planting. Keep an eye on the web page (link below), it will be updated regularly.
Jenny's final legacy is her wish to have a party in her honour and memory. This will be held in a few months' time, and in accordance with her wishes it will be a themed party, theme will be the letter "J". There will be a collection held at the party, all donations to go to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. The party will be organised by our good friend Cheryl "Notso" Bright.
And thank you all who phoned, sent emails, native plants and cards to me after the loss of my wonderful friend, soulmate, lover, wife & partner, Jenny.
She left me a beautiful poem to read when I am down:
You
can shed tears that she is gone,
Or you can smile because she has lived
You can close
your eyes and pray that she'll come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all she's left.
Your heart can
be empty because you can't see her
Or you can be full of the love you shared.
You can turn
your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can
remember her and only that she's gone,
Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.
You can cry
and close your mind, be empty and turn your back,
Or you can do what she'd want!
SMILE, OPEN YOUR EYES, LOVE AND GO ON
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A proud Jenny on Graduation Day in 1969. A typical pose for Jenny for her first husband, photographer Mike Hallson. |
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In a garden in London A close-up study by Mike. |
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Jenny & I used to love bushwalking: Here are photos of Jenny with
Richard & Christopher in the early 90's. |
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The last time all the siblings were together, Easter 2004. Line up from
left to right is Brian, Sue, Lyn, Phil, Jenny, and Allan. On the right is Jenny with a young Chris at my father's farm at Crabbe's Creek. |
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Our first weekend away together, we went to the Byron Bay Beach resort in
1989. Jenny in gardening mode in March 2004. |
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Jenny with the two sons she adored, Richard on her right, Chris on her
left. And Jenny, picture taken on 3 August 2004. Still with that wonderful smile, despite being only two weeks from death. We had a hospital bed set up at home, and she was at home until the day before she died. |
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And here are the flowers from the service
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This is the magnificent view from Yangahla Rock, just off the Ship's Stern Circuit, where Jenny's ashes will be scattered. Picture taken on 7th October, 2004
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After scattering the ashes on 17 October 2004, a pause for reflection and comforting each other. Line up, right to left, with relationship to Jenny, niece Sheryl Tobin, partner Karen, sister Lyn Scougall, Katie Browne (Richards girlfriend), son Richard .
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How can I tell you that I love you, I love you
But I can't think of right words to say
I long to tell you that I'm always thinking of you
I'm always thinking of you, but my words
Just blow away, just blow away
It always ends up to one thing, honey
And I can't think of right words to say
Wherever I am girl, I'm always walking with you
I'm always walking with you, but I look and you're not there
Whoever I'm with, I'm always, always talking to you
I'm always talking to you, and I'm sad that
You can't hear, sad that you can't hear
It always ends up to one thing, honey,
When I look and you're not there
I need to know you, need to feel my arms around you
Feel my arms around you, like a sea around a shore
And -- each night and day I pray, in hope
That I might find you, in hope that I might
Find you, because hearts can do no more
It always ends up to one thing honey, still I kneel upon the floor
How can I tell you that I love you, I love you
But I can't think of right words to say
I long to tell you that I'm always thinking of you
I'm always thinking of you....
It always ends up to one thing honey
And I can't think of right words to say
Cat Stevens "How Can I Tell You" from "Teaser & the Firecat", 1971
Jenny's Grove - progress reports on the trees planted in her memory
17 October, 2004: No further changes to this page are likely to be made, but other pages will be updated as promised.